Bethlehem Paper - Specific Gravity of Low-Carbon Steel

As the specific gravity of low-carbon steel seems to be attracting considerable attention as a means of détermining the quality and value of the metal, I give here a few of the results of a long series of experiments recently made by me. The object of the experiments not requiring more than approximate correctness in the third place of decimals, the extreme precautions to obtain accuracy which are sometimes used in determining specific gravity were not observed. But each piece of metal was carefully cleaned to remove scale, rust, dirt, etc., thoroughly dried, and then weighed in air, all weighings being carefully repeated. The balance used was one of Troemner's finest, and sensitive to one-tenth of a milligram. Before weighing in distilled water, care was taken to remove, as far as possible, the air enclosed in the pores of the metal. The pieces of metal were suspended by means of fine silk thread, a correction of course being made for the weight of the silk. Care was taken that the water in which they were weighed should he always at the same level, and, as far as possible, at the same temperature.